Month: January 2019

Eve of St. George isn’t perfect, but it’s still an absorbing night of immersive theatre

Posted on by Kamal Abou Fares
Julia Cratchley’s choreography acts as a storytelling device in Eve of St. George at the Great Hall, writes Carly Maga.
Julia Cratchley’s choreography acts as a storytelling device in Eve of St. George at the Great Hall, writes Carly Maga.

Directed and choreographed and by Julia Cratchley. Music by Owen Belton. Text by Jeff Kuperman and Julia Cratchley. Until Jan. 27 at The Great Hall, 1087 Queen St. W.TranscenDanceProject.com.

TranscenDance Project, founded by Toronto-born Julia Cratchley, has brought its Canadian ode to New York City’s Sleep No More to the Great Hall, Eve of St. George. Whereas the American production takes its inspiration from Shakespeare’s Macbeth and the films of Alfred Hitchcock, Cratchley’s title refers to the holiday that unleashes evil upon the world in Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula.

Across the four floors of the Great Hall complex, audience members in black masks can follow characters like vampire hunter Van Helsing (Ryan Lee), lawyer Jonathan Harker (Matthew Kazmierczak), Mina Murray, the object of Jonathan’s affection (Kelly Shaw), mental patient Renfield (Alvin Collantes), the vampire himself, Count Dracula (Jack Rennie), and more as the famous story unfolds in various locations simultaneously.

Comparisons are inevitable and though Eve of St. George perhaps isn’t groundbreaking in its style it’s still a solidly impressive evening.

The Great Hall is an effective venue for such a production, though it would certainly pose an issue for anyone with mobility impairment. Its stateliness is fitting for a rendezvous with a rich, powerful and mysterious count, with ample room for audiences and ensemble cast dances without feeling cramped.

In its third run at the Great Hall, Cratchley’s staging has found its groove: the performers are comfortable moving from space to space and I was never left without something to watch unless I was purposefully looking for some solo time to snoop through Jennifer Goodman’s sets.

Cratchley’s choreography acts as a storytelling device, going for action and mood over inventiveness. It’s slow and intimate and broody — until Snell’s fight choreography kicks in — enhanced by Owen Belton’s music, which draws naturally from the human heartbeat.

As is typical with the immersive style, group scenes are countered with one-on-one monologues and moments, which is where Eve of St. George shows an area for improvement: the written text by Jeff Kuperman and Cratchley doesn’t show the same level of care and attention as the staging does.

At 90 minutes, it’s possible to get a good grasp of the story of Dracula, with the obvious impossibility of seeing everything. Still, Eve Of St. George doesn’t beg for a repeated viewing — it feels satisfying on its own (which I guess is both a compliment and a criticism).

By CARLY MAGATheatre Critic
Fri., Jan. 18, 2019
TORONTO STAR
Video interview with Julia Cratchley

ON THE HUNT FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT SPACE? LOOK NO FURTHER

Posted on by Kamal Abou Fares

The hunt for a perfect event space—whether you’re planning a wedding or a buzzy conference—can be overwhelming to say the least. It takes a lot of Goldie Locks-ing before you find one that is just right. Enter The Great Hall, a historic Victorian heritage building located in the heart of downtown Toronto, providing a picturesque backdrop for any event, whether it’s an intimate soirée or a 1200-person celebration.
The stunning (and Insta-worthy) space played host to The Kit Connect Conference 2018, and we’ve been abuzz about The Great Hall ever since. The Great Hall’s most notable guests include luminaries Justin Trudeau, George Clooney and Commander Chris Hadfield, just to name few. Here’s everything you need to know about your next event space.

THE MAIN HALL

The flagship venue dubbed the Main Hall features a horse-shoe shaped balcony, 30-foot ceilings, Waterford crystal chandeliers and a wall of gilded scrollwork framing the legendary stage make this space. Plus, the area has a built-in back bar making it ideal for large celebrations.

THE CONVERSATION ROOM

On the same floor as the Main Hall, the Conversation Room overlooks Queen Street West, complete with crisp white walls, crown mouldings, and chevron hardwood floors (a.k.a. the epitome of Victorian-chic). Perfect for a mid-size soirée.

THE DRAWING ROOM

The light-filled Drawing Room is as adaptable as it is intimate, with a gourmet kitchen, 19th century windows and a cozy marble fireplace. The perfect setting for an intimate gathering over delicious food and drinks.

LONGBOAT HALL

Finally, Longboat Hall one of the city’s truly unique spaces. The space comes complete with a 360-degree balcony which (*fun fact*) once acted as an indoor running track when the building was used as a YMCA gymnasium, and is fittingly named after renowned distance runner and national hero, Tom Longboat, who trained here in the early 20th century. Sandstone brick, cast iron pillars, and the polished concrete floor combine to lend this singular venue an air of Industrial Age charm. Now THAT is how to host a festivity with an impact!

 

By THE KIT

On the Hunt for Your Next Event Space? Look No Further